Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo claims Lionel Messi will only surpass Napoli legend Diego Maradona if he wins the World Cup.

Messi has won everything there is at club level with Barcelona but has only an Olympic gold medal to show for his efforts in an Argentina jersey, whereas Maradona led the Albiceleste to victory at the 1986 World Cup.

“It will be important for both Messi himself and for Argentina to win the World Cup in Russia,” Pirlo, who was a champion with the Azzurri in 2006, told Goal.com.